CanKids Volunteering
Transcript of CanKids Volunteering
What is cancer?
• Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body
• Normal cells multiply when the body requires them, and die when no longer needed.
– Regulated controls within genome
• Activating Oncogenes accelerating cell growth & division
• Inactivating tumor suppressor genes
Causes?
• Chemicals
• Environmental toxins
• Ionizing radiation
• Genetics
• Pathogens
Incidence in India
• In most populations, childhood cancer ranges from 75 – 150 per million children per year
• Standardized incidence rate for India: 38 – 124 per million children per year
• India’s current population: 1,155,347,700– Severe underreporting
• Worldwide, 70 – 90% of children are cured of cancer
• In India, over 70% of children still die
– Lack of awareness
– Inadequate treatment
CanKids
• Facilitate a 70-90% survival rate for children with cancer in India
• Branch of the Indian Cancer Society
• Founded in 2004 by Poonam Bagai – 2001 colon cancer survivor
– Assisted 2500 children in medical treatment
Mission
• Best possible treatment
• Social economic support
– Adopt a child program
– Home away from home
• Reintegration into society
– Education
• Psychological support
• Continuity of care
Retinoblastoma
What is it?
Retinoblastoma is cancer of the light sensitive cells of the retina
image source: http://www.wightoptometrists.co.nz/?sid=42
Incidence of Retinoblastoma
• Rare
• Genetic in some cases
• Affects children <5 years old
• Worldwide – 98% treated
• India – 60 % cured (AIIMS)– 1500-2000 patients per year
Symptoms
• Crossed eye
• Poor vision
• Red, swelling eye
• Enlarged pupil
• Different colored irises
• Pain
LeukocoriaWhite Eye Reflex
» Affordable and simple method of diagnosis
Treatment
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Enucleation
CanKids RB Project
• Public Awareness
– Reduce need for radical ophthalmic surgery
– Early detection
– Educate the public
• Retinoblastoma is curable
• Female/Male Incidence
– International RB Awareness Day
Cankids RB Project
• Advocacy
– Empower medical teams
– Deliver higher quality evidence based care
• Patient Support
– Sajeev CanKids RB Fund
– Financial aid